temp gauge goes down

[keithm]

I have a 90 ranger with a 2001 2.5 in it. the previous owner did a pretty good job of wiring things. everything works well except the temp gauge, sits on the cold with ignition off when I turn on the ignition the gauge goes down below the cold mark, it doesnt come up even when the engine is up to operating temp.
question is if I put a sender from a 2.3, which is what it had in it originally will it drive the gauge?

Keith